Dirigible airship



Aug. 21, 1928. f

R. P. FOX

DIRIQIBLE AIRSHIP Filed Mach 6, 192e 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 21, 1928.

1,681,848 R. P. FOX

DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIP Filed March 6, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 21, 192s.'-

R. P. FOX

DIRIGIBLE AIRSHI'P 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March e, 1926 NQNI 22am/2f? F01 Aug. 21, 1928.

R. P. FOX

DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIP Filed March 6; 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 NN. Q.

W6. Nm

ATTORNEY R. P. FOX- DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIP Aug. 2l, 1928.

Filed March 192e 8 SheetsfSheet 5 MS/5P 02" INVENTOR Aug'. 21, 1928. 1,681,848

R. P. Fox

nl RIGIBLE IRSHIPl med March 6, lege a sheets-sheet e N IEN-'OR R. P. FOX

` DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIP Aug. 21, 1928.

8 snetS-sneet Filed 'March 6, 1926 Aug. 21, 1928. A 1,681,848-

R. F-, FOX

DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIP Filed March e, 192e 8 Shets-Sneet 8 Jn/.770x

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 1928.`

UNITED srA-ri-:sk

[PATENT OFFICE.A

RALPH l. AIEQX, OF lH'ABBISBU'RG', PENNSYLVANIA,

Dmicnanii msnm Application mea Haren s', 192e. serial iro. 92,827.

. The object of this invention is to rovide an all-.metal air craft'of the dirigib e type, in which many improvements over usua confstruction shall be embodied, special provision particular means'fo'r in ating'the cells and c ontrolling the valves thereof.

A further object is to provide for the mountingl of forward and rear pro ellers,

g. withv a separate engine for each propel er, thek Y propellers being of the four-blade type, and

being speciall each other an to the main structure.

frame built u ofunits or sections, each having special vorm and constructed to resisty strains in a maximum degree. n Y

A further object is to provide a keel `structure to be built into the main structure, and

adapted to house the units and compartments idicated below, and to support forward and ear ontoons.

the airship to a mast by means of devices connected with the head or bow, and further to provide `for mooring the machine'to another mast at a point'near the stern, but forwardly ofthe rudders, and their controlling means, and without interfering with or endangering .35 the rear propellers.

A further object'isto provide for the special control of the rudders.

vision for receiving and discharging pasv4o sengers.

With the foregoing and other objects iii view, the invention consistsin the novel construction andv arrangement of elements dederstood that modifications may be made within the sco e of the claims, without departing from t e spirit of the invention. In the drawings forming part ofv this application,

Figure 1 is aview. of the airshipv in side elevation, front and rear mooring masts also being shown, together with an intermediate stationary structure for loading and'unloadin passengers, or material being shipped. Figure 2 is a view in front elevation. Figure 3 is a view in rear elevation.

ually of the structure,

mounted with reference to U illustrated. A rther object is to provide for mooring 'mounted rudder, by which t termined at any given elevation of the ship.

Figure 4 is a view in top plan.

': y Figure 5 is a horizontal section, longitudithe view bein on line 5-5 'of Figure 1, looking downwar 1y. Figure 6 Shows the forward portion ofthe frame-work, the structural details of certain of the sections being illustrated, together with a portion of the controlling mechanism.

Figure 7 is a detail in elevation, showing one of the cable winding devices.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure with the rear mooring mast.

l Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation, showing the arrangement of the girders in the main transverse sections of the frame. Figure 10 is a -pers yive view showing one of the trussed 'mem rs of Figure 9. A further object. is to provide a main y Figure 11 is a view partly in elevation and partly.. in longitudinal section showing that portion of the structure in which the gascells or containersare'mounted.

Figure 12 is a' longitudinal section through aportion of the main ductthrough which gas is conveyed to'theindividual gas cells, one of the valve controlled blow-off pipes being Figure 13 is a vertical transverse section on line 13---13ofl Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a verticaltransverse sectionv Figures 16, 17 vand 18 are'1 views in elevation showing cable winding means and brake mechanism, described below. A further object is to make special pro-` 1 Fi ure 19 is a diagrammatic view showing t e means for controlling e course is de- Figure 2O is a view showing in elevation means for controlling the cables for the valves scribedgillustrated and claimed, it being un- 77 Figure 21 is an elevation of thewinding ,means per se of Figure 20.

In Figure 1 the dirigible is shown as being .secured to-mooring masts 10 and 12, these 16 from which passengers may ass into the s own at 1'?.v

vessel through the doorway v n r Connection is made with maSt 10 by means of the vertically 4 showing means for effecting connection a cable 18, see Figure 6, carrying'any suitable element 19 for the purpose indicated, this cable extending through the space or channel 2O beneath the nose portion of the structure, and thence extending to a winding device, such as that shown in Figures 6 and 7, and including a drum 21, a crank connection 22, and pawl and ratchet mechanism including the wheel 23 and dog 24.-. This device indy be operated by power through wheel 25, and clutch mechanism 26 permits. of control in an obvious manner, through lever 27.

In Figures 4 and 8, l have shown special means for ellecting connection with the mast 12, these means including a steel cable 28 on each side oi the main structure, these cables 28 passing through eye bolts 29, secured 1n the frame work as indicated at 30, and the cables carrying on their outer ends rings, such as 31 by means of; which connection is made with the mast. Each cable 28 passes through a guard member, or between the latter and the main structure, this element or guard being designated 32. Winding devices, such as drums 33, are provided for the cables 2.8, and power may be applied to the drums in any suitable manner, so that after the crafthas been secured to the forward mast, connection may be made at either side of the structure, to mast 12, the approach through or over latform 16 of the structure 14, then becoming practicable. n

The power mechanism includes six tractor propeller?, mounted three on each side of the forward portion of the vessel. These propellers are designated 35 and are mounted 1n bearings 86 supported by the la erally extending brackets 87, theshaftsbeing driven individually from the engines 38. The shafts of the propellers 35, on each side of the nose portion, are in the same horizontal plane, but longitudinally of the machine, they are in parallel relation, or rather the axes of rotation are parallel. l

Towards the stern of the vessel, propellers are mounted in a similar manner, and are driven individually by engines 41. It will be observed that there is a balanced drive when all ofthe propellers are in operation, and this balance may be maintained when only four propellers, two at each end of the craft, are in operation. On the other hand,

the propellers may be so controlled, that they will aid or govern the steering operation.-

The vertical rudder is movable about axis or axial element 46 and is controlled by cables 47 and 48, on each side, these cables passing over pulleys 49, any suitable number eing provided, and the two cables on each side being connected with each other at the point 49', whence the connection is by a single cable 50 on cach side to winding device 51, it being understood that the cables 50 may have connection with each other at an intermediate point, or may constitute a continuous cable, so that the winding device or drum 51, when rotated, will exert tension on one cable 50 while the other is relaxed, Jfor moving the blade 45 in a manner well understood.

Elevator or blade and its controlling means are shown in Figure 15.

The blade 55 movable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of blade 45, includes an aXial member 56, with which arms 57 are connected. Cables 58 and 59 extend to the ends of arms 57, and are thence carried to the blade 55 near its outer or rear edge, being secured at the point 60. These cables 58 and 59 pass over pulleys such as 61, a suitable number being provided, and cable 58 extends to a point 62 where it has connection with cable 63, connected with the blade 55 in the manner shown. Cable 63 passes over roller or drum 64, and merges into cable 63 connected at 62 with cable 59 and with cable 59 having connection with blade 55 in the manner shown. This arrangement makes it possible to control or move rudder or blade 55 in either direction by means of the rotation of drum in the required direction, as will be readily understood. The controlling means are shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18, and include the wheel 65 and the footpperated mechanism controlled by pedal 56, providing retarding or retaining means.

' The tail member directly mounting the rudder is designated 68, and is supported by braces such as 69, any suitable number of the elements last named being provided. This tail portion 68 provides also an opening TU l through which the other rudder or blade extends and in which it operates.

The outer shell or sheathing incloses the y main framework and is of metal of the kind previously indicated, and gas cells 75, say twenty-live in number, are inclosed within the shell and within cell containers 75. These elements are between the transverse frame sections .or units of Figure 13, being surrounded by the longitudinal girders of Figures 6 and 14. The cell containers, formed of the same metal or alloy, each permit of the connection of the cells with a main pipe, the

branch pipes 76y are each controlled by a valve 77, and these outlet pipes 76 communi- .cate with ports 76 of the main pipe 78 having filling connections 7.9 at opposite ends, and controlled by valve 80. A second filling connection is controlled by valve 80.

The stems of the valves 77 are controlled wherein the arms connected with the stems of valves 77 appear in elevation. Each gas cell discharges thru port 76', valve 77 and pipe 76.

lThe units ot the frames between the gas containers, and constituting the transverse units of the main frame are shown in Figures 9 and 11, and elsewhere, and include the outer segmental units 90 built up of trussed structural members, as shown, connected by brackets 91 with longitudinal girders 92 and with transverse girders 93. Trussed columns 94 are secured by angle brackets 95', between the transverse girders 93. The structure thus provided is exceptionally strong, and the bracing is uniform throughout the main portion ot the vessel, the transverse unit-s of Figure 18, between the gas containers aitording protection for the individual cells, and constituting a part of the complete structural lan. p The structure at the nose portion includes the transverse trames 94, and the longitudinal girders 95, spaced as indicated in Figure 6, and the structure at the stern is of a similar character. u

The keel is framed into the main framework, and in Figures 13 and 14, it will be observed that several vertical trussed girders 9G depend from the main frame, and form elements ot the lower structure housing the operative mechanism, exclusive of the propellers and rudders and housing the olicers and passengers7 accommodations. The frames ot the propellers, or the brackets mounting the bearings thereof are carried b the lower structure here referred to. The oor 97 and the walls 98 appear in section and in elevation. respectively in Figure 11, and windows 99 are provided along the side. Besides the officers and passengers quarters, there will be a baggage room, a front engine room. a rear engine room, provision for an electric lighting system and for wireless apparatus, and likewise all conveniences desirable under similar circumstances. Below the keel, pon-- toons such as 101 and 102, are rigidly suspended or mounted. A headlight is designated 103, a light at the stern is shown at 104, and other lights may be provided as required, some of these lights being shown at 105 in Figure 6.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, a plurality of spaced circular transverse units each including outer segmental structural elements, transverse girders extending across said units, brackets connected with the transverse girders, and connected with the segmental elements, columns extending between the transverse girders, and. longitudinal girders connected by the brackets with the transverse girders.

2. In a device of the class described, a main structure comprising a nose frame and a stern frame, tapered towards their outer ends and including a plurality of circular transverse units spaced apart, and each comprising segmental structural elements, means for bracing said elements transversely thereof, said means including trussed transverse girders and trussed supports extending vertically and alternating in pairs with the transverse girders, and means for rigidly connecting said units in a direction longitudinally of the main structure.

3. In a device of the class described, a main structure comprising a nose frame and a stern frame, tapered towards their outer ends and including a plurality of circular transverse units cach comprising segmental structural elements and transverse braces, longitudinal elements for bracing said units and spacing them apart, brackets connected with the longitudinal elements and transverse braces and with the segmental elements, a keel section, and means connected with the transverse units for framing the keel structure into said main structure.

4. In a device of the class described, a main structure comprising transverse units of circular cross section and each including outer segmental elements and inner transverse and vertical frame members, structural members depending from the transverse units, and a keel section built upon said depending members, and single elementsdistributing longitudinal, vertical, and transverse strains through the'points of connection between the segmental elements ,and transverse frame members.

5. In a device of the class described, a main frame, a tail portion extending rearwardly and laterally therefrom andprovided with an opening therethrough adjacent to the end of the frame, a blade pivotally mounted at the end of the tail portion, and a blade mounted at the stern and movable through said opening about an axis perpendicular to the axis of movement of the blade first named.

6. In a device of the class described, a main frame, a tail portion extending rearwardly and laterally therefrom and provided with an opening therethrough adjacent to the end of the frame, a blade pivotally mounted at the end of the tail portion, and a blade mounted at the stern and movable through said opening about an axis perpendicular to the axis of movement of the blade first named, means connected with the frame for bracing the tail portion, and devices for "idependently controlling the blades.

7. In a device of the class described, a main frame, a tail portion extending rearwardly and laterally therefromand provided with an opening therethrough adjacent to the end ofthe frame, a blade pivotally mounted at the end of the tail portion, and a blade mounted at the stern and movable through said openyne ing about an axis perpendicular to the axis of movement of the blade first named, and

means including a plurality ofv cables and' cable winding devices,connectedl respectively withl the blades, in reversel relationtfor moving the respective blades vinop'pos1te direc'- tions.

8. In' a device of the class describedan .elevator comprising a blade, and means for mounting the 'blade for` movement about a 4horizontal axis, a 'vertical rudder movable 9. In a device of the'class described, a mainv frame, including transverse units' spaced they are v apart, and gas vcells mounted between said units, a main gas supplyppipe, connections be tween-the mam pipe and theindividual' cells, relief valves, and means 'for operatlng the .valves simultaneously, thesemeans including devices movablelongitudinally in. opposite `directions and elements connected with said sof devices and connected withthe valves forA rotating` the latter in -corresponding` direc# tions. f ,A

` l0. Ina device ofthe class described, la

main frame, including transverse units spaced apart, and gas .cells mounted between said units, a main gas'supply pipe, connections between the main pipe and the individual cells, relief valves, and means 'for loperatingthe valves simultaneously, said means including arms for rotating the.v val-ves, .the arms ex tending on opposite sides' of the axes of rotation, cables connected vv'with opposite ends of the arms, and means f'orgtensioning; one

cable and simultaneously paying out the other i cable. p v v Y In'testimonv whereof 1 affix my signature. v RALPH RFOX. 

